Entering the season, Washington's running game had a major question mark around it. Who would the lead back be? Who was going to be Jedd Fisch's go-to guy in crunch-time? Well, that question was answered for a brief moment Sunday afternoon.
That answer was quarterback Demond Williams Jr., who led the Huskies' rushing attack with 7 carries for 61 yards and a touchdown.
After starting running back Quaid Carr left the game with an injury, Oregon transfer Jayden Limar stepped into the backfield. However, with the Huskies' offense struggling to put up points, the dual-threat signal caller took things upon himself. In the second quarter, following an interception from first-year cornerback Jeron Jones, Williams evaded the pocket for a 16-yard rush on third-and-10.
Two plays later, Williams scampered his way into the front corner of the end zone to help Washington jump out to a 10-0 lead.
This Demond Williams cutback 😮💨
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 6, 2026
Watch on NBC pic.twitter.com/oGVOZzHwhx
Late in the fourth, the veteran quarterback found himself in a very similar predicament. After a false start, the Huskies were facing third-and-9 with just over three minutes to play. Once again, Williams rolled out left, evaded three Cougar defenders, and turned upfield for a 21-yard gain. The drive would result in a Limar touchdown, putting the game out of reach at 24-10.
"That scramble to convert (the third down) was what we know Demond can do, and is, and his feet are one of our biggest advantages," Fisch said after the game. "There's no question about it, and his ability to make that first guy miss and break that tackle made a huge difference."
The pair of pivotal third-down plays made up for half of Washington's third-down conversions, and ultimately led to 14 of the Huskies' 24 points.
From a promising freshman to now the cornerstone of the offense, the junior and his team have lofty aspirations for what they can accomplish this year. Although Sunday's showing certainly won't be enough for the Huskies to reach those goals, it did prove that their leader can make big plays when the Huskies need him most.
This article originally appeared on Huskies Wire: Demond Williams' Legs Play Hero for Washington in Apple Cup
